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Wed, Jan 21, 2026 | Shaban 2, 1447 | Fajr 05:45 | DXB 
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Ramadan 2026 in UAE: Muslims prepare for holy month as Rajab begins
After the UAE announced that the last day of Rajab would fall on January 19, Muslims are now counting down to the holy month of Ramadan
[Editor's note: This article was originally published at the beginning of Rajab, and is being reshared after the UAE announced that the month would end on January 19.]
As the sacred month of Rajab begins, Muslims in the UAE and around the world are turning their focus towards spiritual preparation for the upcoming holy month of Ramadan.
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In a recent lecture broadcast live on Instagram on Tuesday, Sheikh Nasser Al Hammadi from Sharjah Islamic Affairs explained that Rajab is one of the four sacred months in the Islamic Hijri calendar, during which wrongdoing carries greater sin and righteous deeds earn greater reward.
He stressed that the month should be approached through increased general worship while avoiding practices that are not supported by authentic Islamic teachings.
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Sheikh Al Hammadi explained that the four sacred months (Al-Ashhur Al-Hurum) are Dhul Qa’dah, Dhul Hijjah, Muharram and Rajab, which serve as a crucial preparatory period for the subsequent months of Shaban and, ultimately, Ramadan.
“Rajab prepares Muslims for Shaban and Ramadan,” he said. “It is like a farmer who begins by planting seeds, then watering them, then caring for the crop until the harvest.”
Practices encouraged during Rajab
Sheikh Al Hammadi emphasised that no specific act of worship is prescribed exclusively for Rajab, but Muslims are encouraged to increase general acts of obedience, just as they would throughout the year, with greater attentiveness due to the sanctity of the month.
He noted that the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) did not complete a full month of fasting outside of Ramadan and that even in Shaban, the Prophet (PBUH) fasted most but not all of the month.
The Sheikh also referenced that Umar ibn Al-Khattab (RA) discouraged people from fasting the entire month of Rajab so that it would not be made to resemble Ramadan.
Practices warned against
Sheikh Al Hammadi cautioned against assigning specific rituals or acts of worship to Rajab without evidence from the Quran or the Sunnah.
He stressed that the foundation of worship in Islam is adherence to what has been legislated and that introducing new religious practices is not acceptable.
He specifically warned against assigning a specific act of worship exclusively to Rajab, like Salat Al-Raghaib or a specific Rajab Umrah.
He said, “Muslims should not engage in any act of worship, add to it, or single it out, except based on what has been established in Islamic law, and must beware of introducing innovations into the religion of Allah.”
He added, “Therefore, a Muslim should make proper, lawful use of this month by following the Sunnah of the Prophet (PBUH) in how he observed this month and all other months without singling out specific acts of worship or adding new ones.”
Ruqayya Al Qaydi
Ruqayya Alqaydi is a Special Correspondent with an endless curiosity to learn. Like a journalist on a caffeine overdrive, she is fuelled by passion and on a mission to uncover every gem in the UAE.
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